North Park University, Chicago’s city-centered Christian University, has selected accomplished finance executive Reginald “Reggie” Walker as its next Director of Finance. Walker will oversee and modernize all financial aspects of the University’s Business Office and assist the Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer in driving the institution’s financial strategy, planning, management, and reporting. His appointment takes effect on December 12, 2022.

With a finance career spanning several decades, Walker brings a history of developing streamlined accounting and operations systems, leading cross-functional departments, and managing a wide range of financial operations. Most recently, Walker served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for 1901 East Lombard, LLC. In this role, Walker led the development and implementation of a new accounting system, delivered current P/L and cash flow information to aid in critical investment decisions, and developed a dashboard for tracking and forecasting operating expenses.

Prior to his most recent consulting role, Walker served as both Associate Vice President of Finance and Interim Vice President of Business Affairs and CFO at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, a division of Northwestern University. During his tenure, he bridged the Finance, Academic Affairs, and Development departments to establish a cohesive understanding of financial goals, analyses, and resource allocation matters. He additionally oversaw all accounting, auditing, budgeting, purchasing, grants, and team management, including supervising a controller, senior accountant, bursar, and accounts payable coordinator. 

“We were looking for a collaborative leader who would have a proven track record of successfully managing the accounting and finance functions at a university. We were also looking for someone that had demonstrated the ability to develop a staff of accounting professionals,” said Scott Stenmark, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at North Park. “We are thrilled to have someone of Reggie’s caliber, background, passion, and dedication and I proudly welcome Reggie to North Park and look forward to working with him.”

Additionally, Walker served as the Interim Director of Finance with a Chicago human services nonprofit and as the Director of Finance and Operations at The Ancona School in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Earlier career positions included Vice President (VP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) roles with nonprofits as well as marketing and finance roles in publishing, media, and advertising.

Walker earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Roosevelt University. 

“I am absolutely honored to join the North Park University team of experienced and dedicated professionals,” Walker said. “North Park University’s mission aligns with my own Christian values, and I am thrilled to bring the breadth and depth of my financial and operational experience to help North Park further its important mission.”

North Park University retained KEES, a national executive search firm for nonprofits, as its executive search partner earlier in 2022, continuing the NPU/KEES partnership. A comprehensive search was launched, and Walker was selected from a talented pool of top finalists. Leading the search efforts were Scott Stenmark (North Park University’s Vice President for Finance and Administration/CFO) and Ingrid Tenglin (North Park University’s Assistant Vice President of Human Resources).

“Reggie is a powerful addition to the finance team,” said Laura Weinman, KEES Vice President. “He has proven expertise in managing and improving financial, accounting, and human resources departments, and overseeing projects with a solutions-oriented mindset and will complement North Park extremely well. North Park University has been an excellent partner, in this engagement and in previous search and interim staffing partnerships. Congratulations to all!”

KEES supported this role through our Executive Search service and was delighted to be North Park University’s partner of choice.

ABOUT KEES

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church, North Park University is located on Chicago’s north side and enrolls more than 3,000 students across all levels of degrees offered. North Park seeks to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology. To learn more about North Park University, please visit http://www.northpark.edu. 

KEES MEDIA CONTACT:

Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com

NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY MEDIA CONTACT:

Lindsey Post Robinson, lcpostrobinson@northpark.edu